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LAMPEDUSA
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Lampedusa
:For the Italian writer, see Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa.
The Mediterranean island of Lampedusa is the largest of the Pelagie Islands and is situated 205 km from Sicily and 113 km from Tunisia. Its population subsists on fishing, agriculture and tourism.
Lampedusa is the largest part of the comune of Lampedusa e Linosa which also includes the smaller islands of Linosa and Lampione with the former being inhabited, but the latter just hosting an automatic lighthouse.
Geography
Politically and administratively Lampedusa is part of Italy, but geologically it belongs to Africa since the sea between the two is no deeper than 120 metres. Lampedusa is an arid island, with no sources of water other than irregular rainfall. The fauna and flora of Lampedusa are similar to those of North Africa.
The Isola dei Conigli (literally ‘Island of Rabbits’), which is close to the south coast of Lampedusa, is one of the last remaining egg-laying sites in Italy for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle, which is endangered throughout the Mediterranean. The beach and the neighbouring island are part of a nature reserve: here the famous singer-songwriter Domenico Modugno spent his vacations, and also died in 1994. Next to Parise Cape is a small beach accessible only by sea, through a low grotto.
Other species living along the island's coast include mantas and dolphins.
History
Historically, Lampedusa was a landing place and a maritime base for the ancient Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Arabs. The Romans established a plant for the production of the prized fish sauce known as garum. As a result of pirate attacks by the Arabs, the island became uninhabited.
The first prince of Lampedusa and Linosa was Giulio Tomasi, ancestor of the famous writer Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, who received the title from Charles II of Spain in 1630. A century later the Tomasi family began a program of resettlment.
In 1860 the island became part of the new Kingdom of Italy, but the new government limited its activities there to building a penal colony.
During World War II, the island was captured by the British Forces in Operation Corkscrew, as an immediate precursor to the Allied invasion of Sicily.
The first telephone connection with Sicily was installed only in the 1960s. In the same decade an electric power station was built and the western part of the island became a NATO base.
On April 15, 1986, Libya fired two or three Scuds at the U.S. Coast Guard navigation station on the Italian island, in retaliation for the American bombing of Tripoli and Benghazi. However, the missiles landed short of the island, in the sea, and caused no damage.
Recently Lampedusa has made international news as a prime transit site for asylum seekers hoping to enter Europe from Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Recent agreements made between the Libyan and Italian governments have seen the deportation of many such migrants from Lampedusa to Libya.
Transportation
The island of Lampedusa is connected to Sicily by a ferry service with the seaport of Porto Empedocle, near Agrigento. Lampedusa...
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Hotels in Lampedusa
 | Hotel Medusa  |
Score 9 from 1 reviews | | Piazza Medusa 3 |  |
| In a unique and magic atmosphere, the Hotel Medusa is situated between Guitgia Bay and Salina Cove; the vaguely Arabic style building is both refined and elegant, in the typical colours of the Mediterranean. The interior is made up of columns and capitals, domes and terraces, multicoloured glass and ceramics; the rooms, with furniture in rattan, are very spacious. ... more | | |
 | Hotel Cupola Bianca  |
Score 0 from 0 reviews | | Via Madonna | |
| The hotel will be bookable for 7 days only (from Saturday to Saturday) for most of the season, due to flights frequency. ... more | | |
| | Hotel Le Pelagie  |
Score 5.675 from 3 reviews | | Via Bonfiglio | |
| The hotel is located near via Roma, the main road of the town, where in the evening you can buy a granita (a typical Italian grated-ice drink) and stroll along
the promenade down to the harbour. Here you can admire the charming view of the coloured harbour lights reflecting in the blue water. ... more | | | | More hotels in Lampedusa |
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24 Hours |
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Padova's proud history is no longer a well kept secret. This charming university city, the ancient ?city of water? can now be discovered with a Hop on Hop off tour of Padua (Padova). Aboard our red buses, wonder at the ancient city walls and bridges within which many a past battle have been fought and discover the culture which has made the city's 12th century university one of the most famous in Italy. Prato Della Valle is reputed to be the largest square in Europe and is certainly stunning with its many statues gracefully adorning it. All around the city the ?portici? the curious continuous arches shield from the summer heat and allow the visitor to browse in peace in the delightful shops before stopping for an aperitif or mid morning coffee at the prestigious Caffe Pedrocchi, the impressive cafe which up until 1916 never closed its doors! Of course Padova is famous for its saint, Saint Antonio, known throughout as THE SAINT and whose shrine attracts millions of visitors every year. The impressive Basilica complex also houses famous works of art including three frescos by Tiziano. How could we not mention the world famous Scrovegni Chapel which attracts flocks of visitors to gaze in awe at its stunning frescoes which have been majestically restored for the tourist's pleasure. Prepare to be stunned. With great views from the top of the bus, strategically placed stops and an interesting commentary, this truly is the best way to see the sights of Padua. You can hop on and off as many times as you like aboard this open-top double-decker bus. There are 11 stops and the entire route takes approximately 60 minutes. The bus departs every 30 minutes from each stop. Tickets are valid for 24 hours from first use.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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| Grand Designs of Milan Private Tour |
3 - 4 hours |
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A journey to discover styles, fabric and function, the main features of Italian design. With visits to showrooms, concept stores, workshops and ateliers, you can gain a real sense of modern Italian design and style. Otherwise museums, galleries, hotels and monuments showcase the best of ancient Italian design.
This tour is yours to design!
You tell the tour guide your interests and they will tailor your tour to suit. Be it art, eco, food or fashion, industrial, interior, light or garden design, Milan caters for all tastes and curiosities. Don't worry if you are not sure, your guide will have plenty of suggestions for you.
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| Genoa Aquarium |
2 hours |
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With 70 exhibition tanks (5 distributed on two levels) Genoa Aquarium represents the largest variety of ecosystem and the biggest Aquarium in Europe.
10,000 square meters of exhibition surface and more than 600 different aquatic species in their natural habitats. The friendliness of the seals, the intelligence of the dolphins, the comic turns of the penguins, the unnerving calmness of sharks, and the cuteness of baby marine animals accompany you along the way.
A stimulating journey from the oceans of the origins of life to current themes of the safeguarding of aquatic habitats. An adventure that takes you from Mediterranean seabeds to a Madagascar lagoon, from mangrove forests to the jungle of hummingbirds, from Antarctic waters to delicate coral reefs abundant with life and color. You will experience the spectacular biodiversity of the Great Blue Ship, where you can stroke stingrays and find yourself face to face with young crocodiles.
Cold shivers...at Genoa Aquarium. A new large exhibition area recreates the sub-Antarctic environment and welcomes two species of penguins. A great novelty refreshes the summer of the public of Genoa Aquarium: a new exhibition area dedicated to penguins which recreates the sub-Antarctic environment in which these animals live.
Come for a walk in the most beautiful seas of the world.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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